Claudia Raab's Blog

Some people still underestimate the importance of having excellent public speaking and communication skills. They don't see any value in possessing them and consequently never invest in any training, coaching oder education in the area of public speaking. "Why should I? I don't work in sales or marketing and don't need to speak in public!" is their point of view!

Unfortunately, this is short term thinking that, by the way, is also totally incorrect. Excellent public speaking skills are essential for any career - whether you're a lawyer, electrician, doctor, teacher, entrepreneur, etc. Public speaking is not only about speaking in front of large groups. Public speaking skills also come into play when you are going to have a job interview - sometimes there is just one interviewer, very often you'll be interviewed by two or three. The skills you need are exactly the same in a one-on-one situation and a large group situation. You need to present yourself well and confidently.

That's true for your private life, too. Talking to your child's teacher or at a community meeting is not different from a professional situation. It's equally important here, that you present yourself well and can convey a clear message.

Invest in yourself! Get training in public speaking and communication skills and advance faster in your career as well as get along better with colleagues, friends and family due to a better communication style.

Remember: We are here to help! Simply contact us on 0425 785 143 or email info@raabconsulting.com. We are waiting for you!

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"If you can't write your message in a sentence, you can't say it in an hour."

Dianna Booher

Business writing expert Dianna Booher couldn't have worded it better: Only a clear message guarantees a clear presentation that - in return - gurantees your success. Make finding and formulating your message the starting point for your presentation preparation.

Nothing is worse for the audience than a "muddled up" speech where the presenter leaves and nobody really knows what it was about. Not only would your audience feel they have wasted their time, but they would blame you.

So, sit down, find your message, put it into one single sentence and half of your preparation is done. Your one step closer to your success and have saved yourself a lot of time! Well done!

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Being a great Public Speaker is not only about speaking. Every great presenter and skilfull communicator is also a great and skilfull listener. They clearly understand their audience and have an exact idea what they are interested in, how they communicate and tailor their presentation accordingly.

Reasearch shows: Most of us aren't good listeners. For example, when we are in our office or on the phone with a client, we usually listen at roughly 25 % of our listening capacity. We interrupt too often, since we think we know what our partner is going to say. We presume too often, we know what our partner wants.

Today, at least in one of your conversations, focus exclusively on what your colleague, client or any person on the phone or one-or-one is saying. Make this conversation and the person you are talking highly  important and dedicate your entire attention to them. You'll be surprised how much at ease your conversation partner all of a sudden is and how many information you'll get about him or her apart from creating a great atmosphere that will encourage e.g. sales. Good luck! 

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For many of us "Australia Day" marks the end of the holiday period. It's back to work and serious business. Make a new start and monitor your Body Lanuage carefully and constantly.

As you know, it only takes seconds before we make a decision about a person we meet for the first time or notice any changes in his or her behaviour when we see a person again after not having seen them for a while, e.g. after a holiday. Seize the chance and present yourself with a new Body Language. Welcome your colleagues back standing nice and straight, shoulders upright, feet apart, knees slightly bend, arms by your side.

This posture clearly projects confidence and friendly openess as well as leadership qualities and authority at the same time.

This also applies when you are seated: Upright Position. Straight Back. Open, warm and friendly Smile paired with great Eye contact.

You'll be amazed how differently people will perceive you. Monitor and improve your Body Language where ever you go, where ever you sit and practise a positive, confident Body Language when you are alone, best infront of a large mirror. It's worth it!

And remember: We're here to help. Simply call 0425 785 143 or send an email to celine.dubois@raabconsulting.com to get to know more about how we can help you!

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Happy Australia Day to all our clients and readers! While preparing to celebrate Australia Day the Raab & Raab team was wondering where the word "Australia" comes from. Thanks to Celine's fabulous research skills we now know:

 The name Australia derives from the Latin "Australis", meaning "Southern". Since Roman times people were telling stories about an unknown land of the South "terra australis incognita". 

However, it wasn't before 1625 that the word "Australia" was first used in the English language in "A note of Australia del Espiritu Santo", written by Master Hakluyt and published by Samuel Purchas in Hakluytus Posthumus.

And wikipekia tells us that the name Australia was popularised by the 1814 work "A Voyage to Terra Australis" by the navigator Matthew Flinders,  who became the first person known to have circumnavigated the red continent.

 If you have to give a presentation in the next couple of days, how about using "Australia", its meaning or even "terra australis incognita" as an idea for your opening? Great for telling a story, for comparing past and present and future, and so on. Now, that's a thought, isn't it? So, once again: Happy Australia Day! Enjoy your presentation!

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If you're invited to give a presentation where someone is introducing you, keep in mind that it's this introduction that sets the stage for your speaking success. The goal of an introduction can easily be compared with a lead of a newspaper article. It's purpose is to get the attention of the audience, to get them excited and interested in what is going to follow, in what you're going to tell them as well as in you as a person and expert. It should motivate and persuade your audience to continue reading or continue listening attentively.

For this reason, you have to carefully plan your introduction in advance! My advise: Don't leave it up to the organiser of the speaking event or the Master of Ceremony (MC) to put an introduction for you together. Get in contact with them before your presentation and provide them with an introduction in writing. Plus allow time for them to read and incorporate it in their planning.

What should a startling introduction contain?

1. Start by telling your audience about your accomplishments: Why did the organisers call you in to give your presentation? What qualified you to be on the stage? What's your expertise? What are your achievements? Where did you get them from? Are there any titles you hold, any relevant accreditations, etc.?
2. This will automatically lead to the title of your speech that you'll introduce after you've revealed your accomplishments.
3. In part three of your introduction you invite the audience to welcome you, the speaker, and state your name.

According to the length of your presentation plan the length of your introduction. A short presentation requires a short introduction. In case of a longer presentation you can include more relevant personal background details.

However, do not give away too many information and content of your presentation. An introduction is a teaser that should get your audience into the mindset "I am totally excited about what this person is going to present to me." An introduction is a perfect chance to promote yourself. Plan it carefully and dedicate enough time to writing it. Remember: We're here to help, simply give us a call on 0425 785 143 and we help you to create a great introduction to raise your professional image and impress with your expertise.

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You have to give a presentation or have a job interview and as soon as you enter the room and see where you are supposed to stand or sit you feel very uncomfortabel since may the light is blinding you?

Here's what you can - or better must do - to guarantee your performance will still be a success! Ask for the seating to be rearrange. There's nothing wrong with it and its in your best interest! You need to be comfortable - that's your priority. Only then will you achieve your best results.

Don't be afraid to ask. Most of the time people are more than willing to help you and it's quickly done. However, what you have to make sure is, that you arrive early so there's enough time left to make the changes you requested. Good luck!

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Public speaking skills are critical to the success of all leaders. The latest example: Barack Obama, who was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America only a couple of hours ago.

Like Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan Barack Obama is extremely successful in using his great and powerful rhetorical skills to influence and - what is even more important - inspire and "fire up" is audience motivating his listeners to follow him - very often by giving hope and encouraging them to work together with him to build a new and better future.

Barack Obama is an amazing orator and as research shows this skill alone will trigger other people's decision to regard him automatically as a great leader - an expert in whatever he does, someone to trust and follow.

Watching and listening to Barack Obama is a great way of improving your own public speaking skills - regardless of whether you agree with his political point of views. Simply keep in mind: The better your public speaking skills are, the better your chances of advancing in your career and taking up leading positions you're targeting at. It's not a secret anymore: Public speaking skills are essential for the success of any leader. Start improving them now and give us a call on 0425 785 143.

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"There are three things to aim at in public speaking:

First, to get into your subject,

then to get your subject into yourself,

to get your subject into the heart of your audience."

Alexander Greqq

 Yes, it's true! Research has shown that the impact and success of your presentation depends only up to eight percent on your content. The rest is all about how you say it, namely Body Language and Tone of your Voice.

However, if these eight percent content are not 100 percent, I guarantee your success is very much at risk! Don't underestimate your audience. They'll find out very quickly if you haven't really prepared your material and can deliver facts that are absolutely right. You need to be 100 percent sure of your content and also you need to understand and be passionate about what you are talking about.

So sit down, go through your notes and do your homework! It'll help you to calm down your anxiety and get the success you deserve! It's worth it!

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So the date of your presentation - locked in your diary weeks ago - is getting closer and closer and you haven't done much to prepare your talk? Don't panic! Instead of rushing into things sit down and make the following your No. 1 priority whenever it comes to speaking and presenting in public:

Always ask yourself:

What is the purpose of my speech?

Finding the anwer is not difficult at all! First of all, there are only 5 reasons why we give presentations:

1. Inform
2. Motivate/Persuade
3. Solve problems
4. Entertain
5. Inspire

Of course, you can have more than one reason for your speecch. However, there will always be a main reason and that is exactly the one you will focus on.

Are you called in purely to inform? Or are you expected to solve a problem with your presentation?

Having found your No.1 priority crafting a speech will be much easier! Give it a go. It doesn't take long and saves you a lot of time when it comes to improve your presentations skills and create a great talk!

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